Review Blog

Mar 17 2014

Rock War by Robert Muchamore

Hodder Children's Books, 2014. ISBN: 9781444914535.
(Age: 14+) Themes: Peer relationships, Overcoming difficulties,
Dysfunctional families, Adolescence, Crime, Non-Conformity. The book
clearly displays a label that states, 'Not suitable for Younger
Readers.'Jay, Summer and Dylan are three young students who
live with unusual, but completely different family circumstances,
and yet they share a path into a Rock Music destination. In
Muchamore's latest series, the gritty and complex backgrounds of the
band members of three hard-rock bands creates an interesting
backdrop as they enter a Rock band competition for young teens. The
Prologue opens with the suggestion of future success, a teaser that
opens up the possibility of the world of stardom. The narrative
begins with a competition that reveals Jay as a central figure in
the plot, and then the author weaves in the other main characters in
succeeding chapters.
The setting of this book places the main characters from urban inner
city or Estate underclass of England (If you have ever watched The
Bill, you will recognise the environs), or from a contrasting
private school privilege and will appeal to Teens who appreciate
life lived on the edge. The issues that Muchamore includes within
the lives of the band members, their school friends and their
families include peer dilemmas , bullying, jealousy, crime, ADHD and
its impacts, cutting, being a teen carer, dysfunctional family
composition, sexual abuse, teen sexual behaviour and the chaotic
consequences of poor choices. These characters are not from 'neat'
family backgrounds, and they do not experience easy routes to
success, but some of them still do homework after school. Music,
though, is a powerful vehicle to express their angst and to
experience some control in their lives. Muchamore includes some
earthy language on occasions to communicate the culture and voices
of the teens, and their attitudes to authority.
Despite the youthful 'hard-rock' culture, there is evidence of care
and concern for family members and the main characters are likeable
and believable. This will be a series that appeals to those whose
music preferences are far from the Pop or Classical world. Both male
and female readers will find it appealing, but it is not for the
very young. The book clearly displays a label that states, 'Not
suitable for Younger Readers.' Do NOT disregard this label. Because
of the issues that the author raises, this book is for older readers
(at least 14+), even though some of the characters within the Rock
Bands are quite young. Characters make choices within the book that
are far from exemplary, and some crime details are confronting.
Note, as this is the first in the series, there is obvious
development of the competition between the bands still to come. This
is not a text that would warrant Class study.
Carolyn Hull